Scenes From The Gym

Yesterday was my final personal training session with my cute-as-a-button (can you say that about someone who is also quite muscled?) trainer, Taylor. In honor of that momentous occasion, and to remind ourselves of The Smart Kitchen Rule #15: What happens outside of the kitchen matters too (especially when you have been indulging like I have been lately, right?), I present to you….

Scenes from the Gym

Taylor: “Nice shoes”Me: “Thanks. Did you know they are endorsed by Kelly Ripa?”Taylor:”Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

“Dude,* my arms are going to look so awesome after this….I mean, not that they don’t already.”*Apparently I turn into a stereotypical overconfident meathead who says things like “dude, I’m ripped” when working out in the free weight section of the gym, surrounded by ripped body-builder-esque men.

“Do you think that baby is impressed with my dead lifts?” (Yes, there was a random baby roaming the gym. And by “roaming” I mean “held in his mother’s arms.” But that mother had the pacifier in HER mouth…so I question the small one’s security.)

“Sorry!”–me, as I complete a round of sit-ups by holding on to my legs instead of just propelling myself up in a fluid burst of motion“You don’t have to apologize.”–Taylor“I’m not apologizing to you…I’m apologizing to my abs.”

“Wouldn’t a cheeseburger be great about now?”–during my third quarter-mile interval on the treadmill

“OK, let’s sprint on this last rowing interval”–Taylor“But it’s so much more fun to talk and go at a leisurely pace, don’t you think?”–Me

“I’m like a small child. I’ll do most anything for a bribe.” (Guess who?)

“Do you have a TV yet?”–Me“Yes!”-Taylor“Oh, good for you”(spoken like a proud mama)“But we’re not getting cable.”“WHAT?!” (accompanied by a near broken toe as the dumbells drop out of my hands mid-curl)“You’re obsessed with TV aren’t you?”“I wouldn’t say obsessed…I just like it. And I don’t think we should be afraid to admit what we like.” [Insert a few bicep curl attempts.] “Even if it’s trashy.”**This was for some reason incredibly amusing to Taylor.

“My arms are going to be so sore tonight I won’t be able to cook dinner.”“I wouldn’t worry about that.”“You think I’ll be OK?”“Yeah. They won’t hurt until tomorrow.”(Just what the world needs: a trainer with wit.)

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Despite my ability to find such humor in the whole PT situation, I was sort of sad that it was my last session. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make sense money-wise to keep going, when I already am pretty good at motivating myself to get to the gym and work out, even if I’m not “going as hard” as I might be when someone is pushing me.

I did wish I had thought to make Taylor some brownies. Why is it that I always feel the need to bake for the boys in my life? I think I have a “Wendy” complex. You know, like in Peter Pan…needing to mother all the “lost boys” in the world or something…

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How did I fuel for my session? Overnight oats, of course. [I know I have practically eaten solely overnight oats or CFY s for breakfast this summer….but those are really just what make me happy in the morning. :)] This batch of oats was of the kind I like to refer to as “weekend visitor” or “houseguest” oats, as I had made them two days before and ended up either forgetting about them, or wanting something else (CFY, the only alternative) when I woke up.Topping the overnight oats were some blueberries, green grapes, and fresh apricots! [Don’t you just LOVE fresh apricots? I actually like the canned variety, too, when I can find them, but if you’ve only ever had the dried version, you are missing out. Once, when picking up my sister from college, we stopped by a farmers’ market, and I pointed out some to her. She told me she’d never had a ‘real’ apricot and I was outraged, leading me to purchase a plethora of them, which, sadly, weren’t ripe, and by the time they were, I ended up having to throw out a number due to oversight.]I threw on a few fingerfuls of Kellogg’s All-Bran Bran Buds for crunch, which ended up making my breakfast super-branny since I had forgotten that I’d also added a full tablespoon of wheat bran to the mix, rather than the usual 1/2 tablespoon. No worries. Love me some bran. [Also, the All-Bran Bran Buds are so much better than the Nature’s Path Smart Bran. Kellogg’s must add sugar or something. I don’t know. But I also think they are crispier and just generally more flavorful and delicious.]

After I finished my workout, all I could think about was going to Randall’s and getting a Safeway brand fizzy water (preferably the grapefruit or tangerine lime). It was as though my brain was a turntable stuck on the word “fizzy” and would not stop: fizzyfizzyfizzyfizzyfizzy. But I was strong. I was tough. I went home and drank a glass of wine.Ha! Just kidding. I had some good, clean, unadulterated and uncarbonated water! Good for you, Self, good for you. [The photo you see above was probably the 5th or 6th glass I actually drank. I was too thirsty to stop and photograph at first.]

Post-workout snack? A cottage cheese bowl of sorts.

I had about one serving or so left in the tub……so I threw in some diced up veggies (whatever I had on hand, which was celery, carrots, cucumbers, yellow bell pepper, green bell pepper, and tomato)……as well as some Kellogg’s All Bran Bran Buds. (Sounds weird, but is delicious with cottage cheese…and when have weird foods ever scared me?)Stirred it up, and ate it with my baby spoon. [I am so glad y’all are with me on the tiny utensils obsession, by the way.]Okie dokie artichokies….off to relish in some coffee and relaxation for a bit, as I have the apartment to myself for awhile and no one can laugh at my current love of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

I also need to research paella recipes, as I am planning on making that tomorrow for Book Club. Any tips?

who in their right mind would make fun of you for watching D-cubed? =) I love that show. DVR all the new episodes since I'm a granny and can't stay up past 9pm on "school" nights (I'm 26 and have a real job, no worries).

hahahaha, i love the dialogue w/ you & your trainer! I had one of those "6 free sessions" at my local gym in JAX and i used to alway try and talk/joke/wit myself out of doing exercises or repetitions- it never worked, haha! must be a trainer thing. working out w/ you would be a lot more fun!

Ha, I think I have a "Wendy" complex, too! I feel the need to bring "treats" to people all the time! Now, I feel bad for bringing fattening, unhealthy baked goods to others, so I have to make (more expensive) RAW treats! I really need to grow out of this habit…

Sounds like you had a fun last session with your PT! I enjoyed a few sessions with a PT as well, but it was too expensive to keep up regularly for me, too!

Mmmmm, eating with tiny utensils is the best. I can't make paella, but I have a book club favorite to share: green bruschetta. I saute a diced zucchini in olive oil and lots and lots of fresh garlic. Cool in the fridge. After it has chilled add diced avocado (1-2), fresh basil and sea salt. Mmmmmm. I love it on sourdough, but a baguette would do in a pinch.